News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1887-07-21
Howard Park Exhibitions.

At the last annual meeting Oh the
Vermont State Agricultural Society
and Champlain Valley Association,
resolution was introduced and adop-
ted for ''the appointment of COM
mittee to correspond with the secreta-
ries of agricultural societies IN the
several States, as to the price OF ad-
mission to their annual exhibit, and
also to present to the citizens of Yer
mont the reasons prompting the OIL
GERS of the joint exhibition for advanc-
ing the price of admission to the fair
held by them at Howard Park IN 1856,
from 25 to so cents" This resolu-
ton was suggested because Of some
perhaps general criticism-deprecat-
inc such advance. The undersigned
were made such committee, and ac-
cordingly correspondent with the Sec
retaries of all the State and Terrific
rial Societies, and one in Canada
thirty-eight in all, receiving replies
from thirty-two. TO the question,
,'What do you charge for single adj
mission to your fair?' the uniform re-
ply has been, without an exception,
ssFor adults so cents; for children 20
cents" While this uniformity is graf
flying, as placing us-in advancing in
SO the price of admission-within the
pale of general custom, more potent
cause influenced the managers, that of
necessity.
From the organization Of the State
Society up to 81, it held its annual
fair at such towns as would furnish
grounds and requisite accommoda-
lions. The requirements were so
much in excess of the county fair, for
which they were designed, that they
became burden, and so overwhelmed
anv accruing advantages that commit
tees in the larger towns no longer ten
dered them, or hesitated to assume
them. 1t was under these circum-
stances that the State Society voted
to subscribe for one-half Of the.eapi
tai stock of the Champlain Valley As
sociation, incorporated and organized
in 'S2, it being mutually agreed that
any year thereafter, or all years, as
the State Society might elect, or be-
lieve for Its interests, they should hold
a iolnt fair with the Champlain Valley
Association at Howard Park in Bur-
lington. The capital stock of the as
ISOLATION was fixed not to exceed
S25, 900, which was supposed to be
ample to cover the cost of such grounds
and buildings as were desirable, but
in this estimate the managers were
the actual cost for perma
nent construction being S3S, 900.
This, then, was the problem for them
to solye-how to meet this deficiency
and still offer and pay premiums pro-
portion to the excellence of the stock
and products of farms, exhibited
and to make additions thereto which
the near future will imperatively de-
mand? We saw no answer but in the
advance made. During all the years
of the two societies existence, their
directors have neither received nor
any remuneration for serVic-
es, giving their entire time to its man
agement during the days when fairs
have been held, and many days dur
ing the year, travelling long distances
to hold meetings as committees, and
mourning personally many incidental
for which not one cent has
been taken from the treasury, nor has
any dividend been paid to stockhold-
ers of the Champlain Valley Associa-
ton, but the surplus remaining each
year after paying premiums and the
current expenses of the fair, has been
applied toward liquidating it's debt,
and making such repairs as were de-
manded.
Eliminating all Objectionable fea-
lures from its grounds, such as pool
selling, games Of chance and intoxi-
cants, at a pecuniary loss Of many
hundred dollars, it has in all ways
been the aim and pride of the direc-
tors to make this annual festival
worthy the industry it represents-to
attain high standard, and create
from it's gatherings a system of pop
ular education that shall show from
its agricultural resources the best pro-
ducts, with the manner Of production
the best animals, and how bred; the
best machinery, and their best use
thus emulating the progressive and
advanced ideas permeating sister
States, that are only inspired by con-
tact and comparison. We cannot
compete with the prairie farmer in
quantity; we can, and more in quail
ty. A thorough judge of horses, who
resides in New York, said recently to
one of our committee, "Kentucky
raises the best colts in the world, but
Vermont raises the best horses"
In sheep, long ago we successfully
challenged the world. The show of
cattle at the last fair, particularly in
oxen, elected from no less a critic
than Sir Lyon Playfair the remark
call England cannot equal it." With
the overflow of exhibits in Mechanics
Hall, the def work of wives and
daughters, the choice productions of
field and garden, fruits and flowers ;
the ingenius contrivances Of the
skilled artizan and agricultural ma
chinery, with grounds and buildings
admirably fitted for their various pur-
poses, provided at great cost, and as
yet but partially paid for, we conf
IDENTIFY submit to the public-who,
when a subject is fairly understood,
is as q, whole, always right-whether
with the large expenditure, with the
wish and purpose of extending and
adding to present facilities, that every
new years exhibit shall be more nu-
merous aad of greater excellence than
those of the old-can you insist that
we be an exception to all other State
societies, or reasonably ask US to place
q five days exhibition, in the matter
Of price of admission, upon the plane
of travelling minstrel company? The
railroads of the State and the steam
ers of Lake Champlain have always
cheerfully responded TO every reason,
able demand upon them, by reduction
of rates to passengers, and the free
transportation of stock and other eX-
hibits, and we confidently appeal to
the farmers and other citizens to join
them and the joint societies by giving
their countenance and influence to sus.
tain a mutual interest for a mutual
good. GEO. A. MERRILL, Coa,
HENRY CLARK,